Cottage Crazy: A few more Tybee favorites...

Cottage Crazy: A few more Tybee favorites...: The Sally Pearce Nature Trail. It is just a few blocks from Paws & Paddles and it takes you out to the Marsh. It is so close by... yet walki...

A few more Tybee favorites...

The Sally Pearce Nature Trail. It is just a few blocks from Paws & Paddles and it takes you out to the Marsh. It is so close by... yet walking in... you quickly feel the wildness and beauty of the marsh and nature. It is publicly accessible and the painted bunting, brown thrashers, woodpeckers, chickadees, warblers, and many types of marsh and shore birds can be seen during the fall and spring.

A view from the the north beach...basically the end of the island...I was able at low tide to ride my bike on the beach to the very end. It was a beautiful day. The sun was very warm but the wind was probably 10 mph which made for perfect biking.

The view from the McQueen rails to trails bike path. We rode towards Savannah...6 mile round trip. We stopped on a foot bridge over the marsh and had a ring side view of the birds and boaters entering and leaving the waterway.  Nice. This is on the way in to Tybee several access points near Fort Pearce.

Mike at the end of the McQueen Trail...the live Oak was decorated in typical Quirky Tybee style!

The view from the foot bridge...water on one side with boats...on the other side the only thing visible was the marsh grass. As the boats entered the marsh it appeared they were running on top of the green marsh grass since you could not see the small stream of water snaking it's way through the marsh. 

So glad the Railroad donated the space for the trail...

A fishing pier along the trail.  The storms have taken their toll. We were racing along and shortly before we approached the large bridge a runner told us there was a wash out along the edge of the bridge. Good thing for us. There was a 2+ foot gap and we would have been seriously injured had we not stopped and carried the bikes over. I left a black flag on a large stick placed in the hole to warn future bikers, walkers, and runners. Just happened to have an old pair of black knee highs...I sometimes use them for hand warmers on the bike...thanks again to that runner for alerting us.

Mike leaning on the bridge with the grassy marsh side behind him...

This shot brought back nice memories of our boating days on Smith Mountain Lake...love that swishing sound the water makes as the bow cuts through the smooth water in the still of the early morning. 

We love the natural wonders of Tybee. When we want a little more excitement...20 minutes or less and you can be parked in the Whittaker underground garage and walk across Bay Street to River Street in Savannah. If you go there be sure to duck in the Bohemian Hotel and take the elevator up to Rocks on the Roof for a great view. Ride down and it takes you to Rocks on the River Restaurant and River Street...no steps or uneven cobblestones to contend with for those of us with walking issues. Savannah has a very artsy and friendly vibe with a diverse and interesting mix of people. The history is amazing and if you go take one or more Trolley tours to learn more. The tours orient you and then the best way to see Savannah is on foot...you can literally walk until you drop...preferably into one of the world class restaurants!

Cottage Crazy: It's Saturday...Oct. 15th...2 beautiful Fall weeks...

Cottage Crazy: It's Saturday...Oct. 15th...2 beautiful Fall weeks...: We have had an awesome time. Spent time with friends Luke and Bobbie, then the boys went home, the girls played. Connie spent a day alone an...

It's Saturday...Oct. 15th...2 beautiful Fall weeks at Tybee

We have had an awesome time. Spent time with friends Luke and Bobbie, then the boys went home, the girls played. Connie spent a day alone and played outside all day on the beach and on her bike. Mike and Hershey came down last Friday and we have had a great week together. Hershey is a gentleman and has been great about understanding when we take off on some adventures in Savannah and on the bikes. He camps out on the day bed and is usually asleep when we come back. He enjoys our morning sunrise walks to the lighthouse. Today was our last sunrise walk for this trip...heading out early tomorrow to get back and ready for work on Monday. It has been a great run...planning on coming back in November. The cottage is booked until we return on November 5th. It is nice to know that we can share our special cottage with others who appreciate Tybee. We love the natural wonders of Tybee. Shelling, the marshes, birds, dolphins, and the wild look of the beach on the far north end and the far south end towards Little Tybee. There were times we were the only people around...for me that is the best. I have enjoyed being still and listening to nature. We have spent almost zero time watching television. Usually I watch the news both morning and evening. I have to admit that I think I am happier not being exposed to so much of the negative chatter. I plan on trying to find silence in our regular routine back on the Mountain.

Early morning walkers...

Saying bye to our Tybee Beach Swing...

Our last morning sunrise...for this trip.

Cottage Crazy: Two fun filled busy days...Oct. 13th and 14th...

Cottage Crazy: Two fun filled busy days...Oct. 13th and 14th...: We had a great day yesterday. A long shelling walk in the morning. We added a ton of auger shells, a few olives and one large whelk to our c...

Two fun filled busy days...Oct. 13th and 14th...

We had a great day yesterday. A long shelling walk in the morning. We added a ton of auger shells, a few olives and one large whelk to our cottage shell collection. With the rough surf comes pretty shells. Then a bike ride in the Savannah Wildlife Refuge...about 25 miles from the cottage...a quick drive. We took the bikes and rode the 4 mile loop around. Lots of ibis, tri-colored herons, egrets, a big alligator and several small to medium snakes which were all polite and stayed to their side of the road. I don't have any pictures of the birds since it takes a huge zoom lens and we were biking. I do have some shots from our beach walk yesterday.

A baby Horseshoe Crab...don't recall seeing one this tiny before. There are hundreds of the adults on the North end of the Beach and it is extremely interesting to watch them digging their way into the sand and then watching how they make it back to the water.

It is a little alarming to look up from shelling and see two large ships that seem to be about to ram each other!

Hershey enjoys all the attention he receives from folks coming down the boardwalk. Even the crustiest and grumpiest always at least smile at him and most stop to talk to him and pet him.

The rocks on the North Beach provide protection for the dunes and the shore birds.

Lots of surf action and sea foam didn't faze them at all.

Loved the sea spray and foam in this one...

I can't get enough of the lighthouse...

Another couple of examples of perspective for  future paintings. The marsh scene is out our side sun porch windows. I was adamant about not putting curtains on these windows since we like to bird watch...look carefully for the egret.

Added the turtle painting to the fence in the back yard...a great place for the Webber grill and since it is fenced it has been a super spot for Hershey to be able to get some exercise and sit outside with us. I am still trying to get him to take an outdoor shower but he is antsy about coming in the shower with the door shut. And I am antsy about not shutting it...although it is totally private.

Mikey and Hershey. Mike mentioned that today we had been married 43 years! Hershey seemed impressed.

The Mermaids are now dancing at Paws & Paddles Cottage on the Sun Porch! Thanks to the Handy Husband.  Big Hug...and a big ladder needed. This porch is the reason we bought the cottage...indoors but feels like outdoors with lots of light...which is so important to me...and lots of green...as Jane would say Happy Colors...Happy Feelings.

This morning the full moon was behind us and the sunrise in front of us...way cool!

Good Morning Sunshine! Off to get ready for another day in one of the most beautiful and friendly cities in America...Savannah...I even like just saying it...Savannah...

Cottage Crazy: Wednesday...wow...my two weeks are flying by...

Cottage Crazy: Wednesday...wow...my two weeks are flying by...: We thought we blew all the storm clouds away from Tybee and Savannah. Well another storm sneaked in around three this morning. Hershey was N...

Wednesday...wow...my two weeks are flying by...

We thought we blew all the storm clouds away from Tybee and Savannah. Well another storm sneaked in around three this morning. Hershey was NOT amused by the wind, rain, thunder, and flashes of lightning. Mike baby sat with him for a bit and he calmed back down. He was ready for his morning walk to the Light House but was a bit less frisky than usual. I guess poodles need their beauty rest too.

We had a great afternoon yesterday...lunch on the beach at North Beach grill followed by a low tide bike ride up the north beach all the way to the end of the island. With the breeze and sun we decided to take a short nap on the deserted beach...we keep a fold up picnic blanket in the bike bag...1,2,3...and we were both gone...ahhhh...

Several shrimpers were headed out early this morning...we have been eating our share. Made a shrimp salad for dinner last night and it was a hit with Mike.

Caught a piece of the shrimper and a few pelicans while keeping the sun in the corner along with the rail in the foreground...trying to remember the advice the fellow gave me the other day to try and improve my shots. Love the tongue of light at the top of this cloud bank...

Stepping Back from the Beach for a different view...

The Sun came out for our walk back to the cottage...it is hiding again. We are fluffing a bit since friends from the Mountain are dropping by for a visit and lunch on the island. They flew in Sunday and are staying in Beaufort. S. C. (pronounced according to a delightful local tour guide...like Beautiful!) it is only about 59 miles from Tybee Island. A delightful town...we loved our tour guide who had lived there all her life and was about 75...she was thrilled we were able to keep up with her fast walking so she could show us more of Beaufort which she clearly loved and with good reason.

Cottage Crazy: The Sun is Making a Come Back!

Cottage Crazy: The Sun is backing a come back!: The Sun played peek a boo with the clouds but it finally showed it's face. Very warm this morning...no need for the long sleeves. The cloud...

The Sun is backing a come back!

The Sun played peek a boo with the clouds but it finally showed it's face. Very warm this morning...no need for the long sleeves. The clouds are heading away from the beach so we are planning a long beach bike ride for low tide this afternoon to see what the rough seas may have washed in.

The storm reshaped the dunes...loved how the sand looked...almost like a molten liquid...It always surprises me how quickly the temperature jumps up as soon as the sun shows it's smiling face.

Working on capturing a few shots with birds for future ideas for paintings.

Notice Mikey in the far right hand corner...standing with Hershey on the beach walkway.

Mike and Hershey...Hershey doesn't like having his picture taken but I sneaked this one in on him!

Our Swing

The inspiration for my turtle painting...planning on installing it this week when the Handy Husband has time.

Another bird shot...no pun...intended!

I liked the combo of the dune in the foreground and the surf and poles in the background for perspective...something I sure struggle with when painting.

Very uplifting...what an awe inspiring sight.

Rainy Marsh Monday on Tybee...

This is our view out of the sun porch side window. The marsh is unusually full this morning. High Tide and it has been raining off and on since early morning. We went out for a walk with Hershey to get a better idea what the surrounding marsh looks like after and during a good rain.

The view front the back of our neighbor's Cottage a couple of doors up towards Horse Pen Creek. The dock looks much closer to the water that a typical high tide.

Another view of Horse Pen Creek Marsh...amazing how it has transformed from basically a sea of green to a lake in the space of a few hours. I usually find it hard to visualize how the boats and kayaks get in and out but today it is easy to see this as a Water Way.

We have decided to stay in the Cottage and resist the urge to run into Savannah. I wouldn't want Hershey to be scared if we were gone. He is usually fine to stay sacked out on the sunporch day bed. But he doesn't like loud noises...like thunder and lightning. The Day Bed is his favorite perch. We throw a giant blanket over the pillows and bed and he quickly claims it as is own. Yesterday I took a long nap on it with him and later he was like a two year old every time I got near the porch he would run and jump on the day bed to officially claim it as his own special place.

I plan on reading on the chaise and listening to the rain on the metal roof as the wind slips in throught the live oaks and the acorns go ping every so often. Reading Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott. It is a very thought provoking book which is the perfect read for a rainy Marsh Monday in a Tybee Cottage!

Cottage Crazy: A wild and stormy sea...exciting

Cottage Crazy: A wild and stormy sea...exciting: Sunday Morning at the Beach High Tide Two Tanks Passing Beach Walkers I liked this shot...notice the couple holding hands on their way to t...

Cottage Crazy: A wild and stormy sea...exciting

Cottage Crazy: A wild and stormy sea...exciting: Sunday Morning at the Beach High Tide Two Tanks Passing Beach Walkers I liked this shot...notice the couple holding hands on their way to t...

A wild and stormy sea...exciting

Sunday Morning at the Beach

High Tide

Two Tanks Passing

Beach Walkers

I liked this shot...notice the couple holding hands on their way to the Beach Swing...sweet.

Cottage Crazy: There Be Pirates ALL over Tybee Island...oh my...

Cottage Crazy: There Be Pirates ALL over Tybee Island...oh my...: Yo Ho Yo...and a bottle of Rum... This was one of my favorites...love the sea foam! Arrrrgh... Even the Parade Watchers were dressed up.....

There Be Pirates ALL over Tybee Island...oh my...

Yo Ho Yo...and a bottle of Rum...

This was one of my favorites...love the sea foam!

Arrrrgh...

Even the Parade Watchers were dressed up...and me without a Wench outfit!

Pirates away...

The Crab Shack the local favorite for crabs recently featured on the Rachel Ray Show...

Very inventive...

Another favorite restaurant that we like on the creek with a awesome water view...not to mention those darn horrible nasty actually wonderful Onion Rings...I try to resist but usually end up eating one or two...

Ahoy Matey! I am running out of Pirate lingo...

lots of folks just wanted to be Pirates for a day...looking for some grog and grub...

The Pirate House...

the rest of the COCO's float...

looks like they are ready to ready, aim, and Fire...

There were some really large...umm...well endowed...interesting ladies on this float...but the shot sadly doesn't reflect that since it missed the full frontal view...

The best of the last...we headed back to Paws & Paddles and took a nap...then cooked up a slab of tuna loin with fresh salsa and lemons over hickory on the Webber charcoal grill...we love that thing so much we gave away our gas grill...really...really...there is no comparsion. Awesome meal with Prosecco, salad, a few french fried oven baked potatoes...then we sat outside by the webber and enjoyed the 7 to 10 mph ocean breezes...awe inspiring and sleep inducing. Just a typical day on Tybee Island...goodness what's next...